Commission OKs single-lot Green Acre Sheds Plat No. 3 for accessory solar array in Collegeville Township

The Stearns County Planning Commission on Oct. 16 recommended approval of Green Acre Sheds Plat No. 3, a one-lot nonresidential plat in Collegeville Township submitted by Ronning Living Trust.

Heidi, Stearns County Environmental Services staff, told the commission the 2.14-acre lot is outlot A of Green Acre Sheds Plat 1, zoned A‑40, and lies in the shoreland of Big Fish Lake (a recreational development lake). "The intent here is to put up a solar array for the home across the road," she said. Because the lot is zoned A‑40 and sized as 2.14 acres, it carries no residential building entitlement; the county advised that accessory structures and accessory uses are allowed and wetland setbacks must be met.

Key conditions and findings: staff reported no new impervious surface that would reach an acre, so a stormwater management plan is not required for the proposed work as presented. A wetland delineation from 2012 was noted as valid and a new wetland determination will be required before issuance of a construction-site permit. The county identified the property as being in a high groundwater sensitivity area and recommended temporary and permanent erosion control measures during construction. The planning committee recommended a subdivision agreement requiring construction best management practices, a recorded affidavit of trustee and certificate of trust, a prohibition on residential dwellings on Lot 1 and a limit of up to 10,000 square feet of impervious surface unless a stormwater plan is implemented.

Applicant Dan Ronning, speaking for the owner, said his parents own the property and that the plan is to install the solar array. Collegeville Township previously reviewed and approved the preliminary plat in August.

Motion and next steps: a commissioner moved to recommend approval with the conditions in the staff report; the motion was seconded and carried. The planning commission record notes the item will be forwarded to the County Board for final consideration once the final plat materials are complete.

Because the lot sits in shoreland and in a high groundwater sensitivity area, staff emphasized that wetland setbacks, erosion control measures and septic/certificate-of-trust documentation must be completed before construction permits are issued.